Help! My chickens wont go up to their bed - at night

[ChooksChick]

Hi, and

If you click on my BYC page, I have a zillion articles for hints, and one of them specifically addresses this- with pics!

 

[CityChick15]

Quote:
GREAT IDEA!!

I have the same problem!!
I bet they are just scared!!!

 

[CityChick15]

Quote:
WELCOME FROM OKLAHOMA!!

 

[chicmom]

Hello!

Your little chicks have to learn to go into the coop at night, and since mama hen isn't around, YOU'RE mama hen!

So just wait until it's just gotten dark, because they will all be in a clump in the corner of your run, and they will be really easy to catch. (Once it's dark, they don't run away from you.)

Put them into the coop and close the door....So they'll be safe from predators.

In about a week, you'll go out and TA-DAAAAAH! They will have gone in all by themselves!

This is totally normal!

Good luck and welcome!
Happy chickening!

Sharon

 

[hulufarms]

 

[First Lady]

So much invaluable information here. I feel like a horrible chicken mama!

For the last three nights I've put my babies to bed in a dark, scary coop. Tonight we put a light in there and they are happy as clams.

Thanks for helping with my bedtime problems.

 

[Elphaba2140]

Last year we taught the babies in 3 days. Just put them up in the coop each night at dusk. Ever since they have taken themselves in at dusk. so.. we add new babies (12 week old) almost two weeks ago. Every night I started to put them in by hand. That is until I tore my meniscus in my knee a week or so ago. I put in whoever I can reach but I am perplexed at these young ones that won't go it! They have now decided under the coop is a good place and I cannot physically reach them. I have worried now for 3 nights. Hope yours and our chicks learn soon. I hate to resort to a light but may have to.

 

[NonnasBabies]

&

from Louisiana

 

[CH1CKENGUY]

welcome to BYC

 

[Chicken.Lytle]

Welcome to BYC! You have come to the coolest place on the internet for chicken knowledge.

I started with chickens last summer and the people of BYC have been great. This year I have tried hatching and buying chicks for even more chickeny joy. Please visit my BYC Page for my blog links that you may find informative or amusing.

Sleep in the nest box? Eeeeeeew!

Make sure they have a roost (2x4 wide side up) to sit on that is higher than the nest box. I had to shoo my birds into the coop the first few days.